The Fig Tree Restaurant

The fig tree has won a spot on my top favorite restaurants. I went for my birthday with two other people. Being the birthday girl, I had a taste of everything that was ordered. Unbelievable food and really good wine. The elk chops and lobster crab cheesecake where my favorite. The tomato bisque was heaven. The carrot cake dessert made me weak in the knees. I can’t say enough good things about the food here. So worth the splurge!

Despite glowing reviews from almost everyone for Fig Tree, I wasn’t really blown away at all in my first visit. My girlfriend and I diner here with our families to celebrate her birthday and really enjoyed ourselves, but nothing about Fig Tree was great enough to justify the prices.
The ambience is classy and fairly romantic, and the service was excellent. Our waiter seemed to have a strong understanding of the menu and all the options, wines, etc. We certainly never felt rushed, and the pace of the meal flowed nicely. On the downside, they incorrectly split the check twice (although they did fix both errors) and we had to ask for all of our boxed food multiple times after getting the check because of some confusion between the servers. Despite these small mistakes, I was impressed by the level of service.
The food didn’t impress me as much as the service, however, and failed to live up to the high prices in my opinion. I ordered the grouper and lobster over saffron risotto. The saffron risotto was superb — perfectly creamy and very flavorful. The lobster was good but nothing special, and the grouper was a bit overcooked and pretty bland. My girlfriend ordered the veal chop, and again, it was good but nothing noteworthy. The veal was cooked perfectly to medium but lacked seasoning/​flavor. The smashed potatoes on the side were excellent, however. We tried the chocolate torte and beignets for dessert. The beignets were incredible — like sweet, cinnamony donut holes ! The cinnamon glaze they come with is amazing as well, and the coffee gelato was tasty. The chocolate torte was alright but for $ 11, it left a lot to be desired.
Overall, despite a great ambience and solid service, the food was way too hit or miss to justify the high prices.

This is probably the best meal I have had in Charlotte. The special that I had was the bison with mushroom risotto. The flavor was savory with a subtle earthy tone. The seared outer layer made the dish. My wife got the duck and it was sweet and balanced. Our server ‘Zach’ (sp) was outstanding. He was very well versed on the menu and cocktail menu. The specialty appetizer was out of this world! The lobster crab cheesecake sounds crazy but it was truly unbelievable. Definitely get the beignets! New Orleans doesn’t hold a candle to these beignets! Go here! You won’t be disappointed.

Ate there last night and the food and service was superb! We started with the octopus appetizer which was delicious. I had the Elk for the first time. I enjoyed it very much. Even better than a high quality filet mignon. I highly recommend the restaurant for a special night out.

I know, I know, I know: only 3 stars with such glowing reviews. The Fig Tree absolutely nails it on service, ambiance, and wine selection. Thank you Zack for your expert care of my wife and I as we celebrated her birthday. The evening could not have been nicer. The elk was cooked perfectly and is a definite repeat.
However. .. for starters we ordered a sausage-​stuffed calamari, and a grilled octopus with an eggplant ragu. With both dishes the star ingredient was lost. The sausage overwhelmed the delicate squid and the octopus was buried under a pile of muddled flavors. Having spent time grazing around the Mediterranean, these appetizers did not deliver on any level. Lastly, my wife ordered the trout and commented it was over-​cooked and mushy. After tasting it, I agreed (fortunately there was plenty of elk, so she didn’t leave hungry)!
Score 1 – 0 for red meat, but 0 – 3 on seafood. I’m OK with top prices but not while batting a paltry .250 average.

Old house renovated into a restaurant near Elizabeth area. It is very pricey, good for a special occasion like an anniversary. But it’s a one and done type of spot, you experience it once and move on. This is due to the prices… outrageous. The Caesar salad, soup, and bread were ok, nothing special. Same with the drinks and cocktails… don’t waste your $$$. My husband ordered the duck, I’m not a big fan. He said it was just ok. When I tried it, it was very chewy. But I am giving this place 4 stars because of two things: 1. The service is OUTSTANDING. 2. I did have some of they best lamb chops ever for my dinner. The lamb chops are definitely my recommendation to you, order them well-​done and they won’t disappoint.

The restaurant atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We were greeted promptly and were asked to wait few minutes for our table.
We made our way to the bar and were server great drinks. I got an old fashion with jack and my fiancé ordered Tito’s.
The service was exceptional from the start with hostess. Our server was great and very friendly.
Now let’s talk about the best part, the food. I ordered the lamb which was buttery and just melted in your mouth. My fiancé veal was fabulous.
The desert was exceptional and to be honest we can’t think of anything bad. The prices were very reasonable.

A truly classy and elegant restaurant. As you walk in, it feels like if you are in someone’s house very cozy. Then the service is impeccable. The food was amazing from beginning to end. The grouper and lobster tail over risotto was just delicious. A must try place. We will definitely return when we are back in Charlotte.

While I went here a while back, I knew I owed it to this place to write this review. On par with their reputation, The Fig Tree is not only serving up delicious meals, but is also providing fantastic overall dining experiences.
I took my wife here to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. Since we had spent our honeymoon and two other anniversaries at all inclusive Caribbean resorts, I knew I had to pick carefully. The Fig Tree had been on our list since we moved to Charlotte, and this seemed like as good of an occasion as any.
We started by ordering the escargot and talking with our server about wine. There is always this moment where you wonder if the waiter is going to attempt to up-​sell you on wine and push one of their more expensive bottles. However, after a casual 5 minute conversation where he listened to our tastes and likes, our waiter pointed to a bottle that was in the middle of the road in price that nailed the exact flavors which we were seeking. We were also amazed that his knowledge of wine rivaled that of most sommeliers! This helped set the ambiance for the rest of the evening.
Moving to the food, the escargot was incredible and served in a Gorgonzola cream sauce. I’m certainly guilty of dipping our side of bread in the sauce more than a few times. I had a local white fish dish and my wife ordered the fillet. While my fish was wonderful, the fillet was cooked perfectly. To finish the meal, we split the brownie, red velvet, cheesecake dessert. Overall everything we ordered was exquisite.
Beyond the meal, what blew me away here was both the service and the pacing of the meal. Appetizers, wine, main meals, and desserts flowed in and out with ease and I never had a single moment where I felt either rushed or wondering where the next course was. Also the character of the 100+ year old house created both a charming and romantic atmosphere. While driving away, both my wife and I were rendered speechless by the evening and still agree to this day that it was one of the best meals we have ever had. I certainly plan on being back, but am a little hesitant as I don’t want anything to taint the memory of that evening. I love the high quality meals and experiences this place is turning out and appreciate that they helped my wife and I turn our anniversary into a night we will not forget.

We had the escargot appetizer, sea scallops, and NY strip. For dessert we had the chocolate silk torte which was delicious! Oh and the garlic bread was phenomenal!

We made reservations before attending Wicked at Ovens Theater. Reservations were at 6 and the show started at 7:30. The waiter made sure to get us out the door in time for the play.
Besides the outstanding, considerate service, the food was amazing. Everything was well paired, exceeding my expectations.

Pros– The wine menu is extensive and very good. The food is good and the menu is somewhat interesting. The location is convenient and the building is historical.
Cons — not really cons per say, nothing negative to blast or harp on: the food was fine, but not stunning for the price points. The service was sufficient, but not particularly warm or inviting. The décor was fine, but not really special or interesting. It was fine, but not really fabulous.

I’ve eaten here a few times, but this review is more about the bar area.
It’s a small area, but a nice place to stop in and meet a friend after work. They do have bar bites, but will also let you eat from the full menu there.
I had the escargot (deconstructed with mushrooms) and some kind of meatball… I’m sorry that I don’t remember the exact name of that, but they were both very delicious.
They have an extremely nice wine list.
Erica is the bartender and she was very nice and very professional.

Fantastic all the way around…
Décor and ambiance was excellent… We sat on the patio and it was a little chilly but heaters provided the needed heat
Service — everything was professional. Everything was explained and they where attentive at every turn
Food. Our party of four had a little of everything —
I had ostrich — well prepared great taste
Wife had the fish special perfect
Our friends the elk and fish /​lobster… We all had bites and the food was amazing
Dessert — shared 3 and they where all good… Finished with a port
Satisfying and the price was well worth it… I will be back when I’m in Charlotte…

This was a true five-​star experience.
I’ll admit, it makes me sound a bit naïve, but this was my first time dining anywhere this nice. The lady and I were celebrating our 3 year anniversary, and we had reservations already booked. I think this is probably the only way to eat here…
From the second that we stepped in the house, we were treated like true guests. Our glasses were ALWAYS filled, and our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and personable. He gave wonderful recommendations, laughed with us, and celebrated our anniversary with us.
As far as the food goes, what I was most pleased about was the portion size. I tend to have the conception that high price point food is often portioned on the small size, but not here. We started with the Apple Beggar’s Purse, which was excellent. I think we want to try to recreate that dish at home as well, if we can! For the main course, I ordered the ostrich (because really, when else am I going to eat Ostrich?) and the lady ordered the chicken. Both were absolutely wonderful, everything from the protein to the accompanying dishes. In between meals, we were provided with wonderful salted Focaccia bread and a roasted garlic paste that was as much of a palette cleanser as it was a treat.
For dessert, of course, we ordered the Beignets, and were treated with the words «Happy Anniversary!» written in dark chocolate sauce. I knew that was coming, but it was still really special to get at our table.
This is a wonderful date night location, and everybody around us seemed to be celebrating something. Highly recommended. Thank you for making our experience so memorable.

My husband and I came out to Fig Tree on Tuesday night to celebrate our anniversary. After the meal was over, I had this space out moment where I was in food contentment heaven… that’s a sign of an amazing meal! I always have a hard time writing reviews for a meal that was just so incredible, that it is hard to describe. So, here is my attempt.
The Fig Tree is located in an old house (like 100 plus years old) that has been remodeled slightly. We were seated upstairs in one of the rooms. Nice and romantic setting.
We were given a wine list to look through. The wine list was extremely extensive. We knew we wanted a Zinfindel and asked the waiter for his recommendation. Based on our discussion, it was obvious he was extremely knowledgable about the wines. The wine we settled on was absolutely delicious. Definitely exceeded our expectations.
First they delivered this garlic spread with fresh bread. The bread was perfect and that garlic spread was amazing. Keeping it to one piece (ok, two, let’s be honest here) was difficult.
We placed our order and ordered the escargot for an ap. For our meals, I got the filet mignon and my husband got the special, which was a white fish.
The escargot was super rich and tasty. The gorgonzola cream sauce was absolutely incredible. The waiter knew what he was doing and brought us more bread just to dip in the sauce. The escargot were cooked perfectly, but man, that gorgonzola sauce. Made the dish.
Before the meals came out, we each got a salad. The salads come wtih the meal, which is really nice and something unusual for a nice restaurant. The herb dressing on the salad was nice and light. Delish.
When the meals came out, I was thinking there was no way the meal could get any better. Oh, it did. The steak was cooked absolutely perfect. You barely needed a knife to cut it. The grit cake and greens that came with it were a great combo. All three together made this amazing flavor combo. The serving was probably around 8oz (which is way too much for me, so my hubby got to finish up my meal to his delight!). My husbands fish was very nice. The risotto that came wtih it was the show stopper. It was incredibly flavorful. Absolutely perfect.
Lastly we decided to split the brownie/​red velvet/​cheesecake dessert. They even decorated it with Happy Anniversary! Great end to an incredible meal.
This is a must restaurant to celebrate a special occasion as the meal was so amazing, it made the whole evening even more special then it already was.

We are dinner here last night as our kickoff dinner for a department mini-​summit. It was the perfect place for such a meal.
We had an upstairs room just for our party of eleven, and an incredible server named Curt who was kind, friendly, and very knowledgeable about the menu, the vast wine selection, and the restaurant itself.
We ordered one of each appetizer to share across the table, and then most of us ordered the Elk Chop for entrees. As a lover of great steak, I must confess that I was pleasantly surprised with how rich and full of flavor this cut of meat was.
Highly recommended.

Get gussied up for a fancy night out! Perfect ambiance to impress your date or your guests in a charming old home. You did not see a sore face in the whole place — looking around you could see friends, families, colleagues all in good conversation… kind of felt like the background of a movie with everyone dressed up and having a nice evening. This is what fine dining is all about.
Let’s talk dessert first and then go backwards. Save room for an order of beignets to share! Pair a bite or two of those with a toasted almond cappuccino and you can call it a night. For the main course, I ordered the sea scallops with a mixed salad. I love scallops and these were made well and melted like butter in my mouth. Hubs got the night special and although I can’t remember what that was as I’m typing this, I do remember he slicked his plate clean.
The service was great. We never felt rushed, they treated us like guests, and they were friendly.
From the moment we moved to Charlotte almost 6 years ago, we heard great things about this restaurant. Can’t believe it took us so long, but so glad we did.

Excelente comidaaaaa, un lugar romántico para una ocasión especial o simplemente por que si! Los postres exquisitos!

The wife and I have eaten here twice in the last year or so. Both times have been great. It seems like this place has a reputation as being a special occasion restaurant, and that was proven last night as everyone seemed to be having a birthday celebration around us. The first time, we sat inside on the second level, but last night we were on the covered porch facing 7^th street. The idea of eating outside appeals to me, but rarely is Charlotte weather just right for the wife and I. I would sit outside in the snow while she would love the heat of the summer. The weather last night, while humid, was still pleasant for both of us so we had to do it.
The service, like last time, was great and attentive. It always leads me to eat too much bread as they keep coming back to offer more. The bread was perfect to clean up all the sauce that came with the escargots that we shared as appetizer. For mains, the wife got the wreck fish special and I the salmon off the regular menu. Every component on my dish was flavorful and both fish were cooked perfectly. The wife did mention her overall dish was under seasoned, but hey we can all stand to eat a little sodium once in a while. We split some decaf french press coffee and the blackberry coffee cake to round out a great meal. Oh and I almost forgot the adult beverage choices. I just love their bourbon smash which is the perfect mixture of bourbon, maple and orange flavors. I really need to figure out their recipe. The wife got a Sancerre by the glass and loved it.
My advice to anyone, don’t wait for your birthday. Get on over to Fig Tree and check it out!

Oh my, oh my! The Fig Tree certainly exceeds all the hype! My new favorite restaurant, hands down!
We usually don’t have too much of a notice when it comes to a date night. When I do check that certain reservation web site, The Fig Tree never seems to have an opening around the time slot we are looking in. So when we were told that we would have a babysitter for this past Saturday, it was the first restaurant I checked and jackpot! Thank you Restaurant Week for getting people away from this gem of a restaurant!
We were greeted by a lovely hostess that gave us the option of seating inside or taking the last seat on the verandah. Luckily it was a beautiful evening and the humidity was low because the verandah was perfect! We were promptly served with ice cold water and our wonderful server, Ivy. Since it was our first time, she took her time to go over the menu and gave us her own personal recommendations, which were wonderful!
We started off with two appetizers, the much talked about escargot and the stuffed calamari. The escargot was light and tender and the sauce it comes in was different and delightful! Ivy made sure to give us extra bread because she knew we wouldn’t be able to resist sopping up the remainder of the sauce! The stuffed calamari was an awesome surprise, different than the usual fried kind, in a good way! It was a tube of calamari stuffed with chorizo and atop a tomato purée. Excellent!
You get a salad along with your main course and you have the option of upgrading it to either a Caesar or spinach salad. We choose to upgrade to the Caesar and at the recommendation of our server we choose to add fried calamari to it. Never really thought of that before but it was amazing! It comes with a LOT of calamari. Well worth the $ 3 up charge!
For the main course we ordered the grouper and lobster, and the filet. If you are looking into this restaurant, I’m sure you’ve seen the menu online so I don’t need to go into detail. They were both some of the best dishes I’ve had, and would order them again in a heartbeat! If I had to choose my favorite, it would be the filet by a slight margin. It was the most melt in your mouth tender steak I’ve ever had! I’m a NY Strip person but I would get this every time!
Dessert…so many choices! My husband ordered the coconut panna cotta and I couldn’t resist the beignets! Both amazing! I also ordered their French press coffee, and it was the smoothest coffee I’ve ever drank!
Needless to say, this was the best meal I’ve had out since I could remember. Thank you to Ivy and The Fig Tree! We will be seeing you again!